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From the readers of the Post-Gazette, perspectives on Pittsburgh issues of the day.Sun, 02 Aug 2015 20:33:52 GMTLibercusenhourly1Hospitals need help in the state budget http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2015/08/02/Hospitals-need-help-in-the-state-budget/stories/201508020103
Sun, 02 Aug 2015 04:00:00 GMThttp://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2015/08/02/Hospitals-need-help-in-the-state-budget/stories/201508020103While the state budget process continues to move ever so slowly, there is an urgent need for Gov. Tom Wolf and our legislative leaders to produce a budget that provides essential funding for Pennsylvania hospitals. While the state budget process continues to move ever so slowly, there is an urgent need for Gov. Tom Wolf and our legislative leaders to produce a budget that provides essential funding for Pennsylvania hospitals.]]>Raising tobacco taxes would be bad news for western Pennsylvania retailers.http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2015/08/02/Raising-tobacco-taxes-would-be-bad-news-for-western-Pennsylvania-retailers/stories/201508020138
Sun, 02 Aug 2015 04:00:00 GMThttp://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2015/08/02/Raising-tobacco-taxes-would-be-bad-news-for-western-Pennsylvania-retailers/stories/201508020138Here we go again. Pennsylvania is facing another budget crisis and the governor is proposing an increase in tobacco taxes as a way out. Here we go again. Pennsylvania is facing another budget crisis and the governor is proposing an increase in tobacco taxes as a way out.]]>Like the LCB monopoly? Why not a state monopoly on gas, milk and more, too?http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2015/08/02/Like-the-LCB-monopoly-Why-not-a-state-monopoly-on-gas-milk-and-more-too/stories/201508020137
Sun, 02 Aug 2015 04:00:00 GMThttp://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2015/08/02/Like-the-LCB-monopoly-Why-not-a-state-monopoly-on-gas-milk-and-more-too/stories/201508020137Gov. Tom Wolf, in explaining his veto of the liquor privatization bill, said that by keeping the state’s Liquor Control Board monopoly, the customers of Pennsylvania would get better prices and the state would make more profit than private enterprise licenses and fees could generate, all while preserving good-paying jobs. Gov. Tom Wolf, in explaining his veto of the liquor privatization bill, said that by keeping the state’s Liquor Control Board monopoly, the customers of Pennsylvania would get better prices and the state would make more profit than private enterprise licenses and fees could generate, all while preserving good-paying jobs.]]>Pittsburgh’s air quality is complicated http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2015/08/02/Pittsburgh-s-air-quality-is-complicated/stories/201507300015
Sun, 02 Aug 2015 04:00:00 GMThttp://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2015/08/02/Pittsburgh-s-air-quality-is-complicated/stories/201507300015Both John Graham, in a July 8 op-ed column “Pittsburgh, Still Polluted,” and Joe Duckett, in a July 17 letter “The Region’s Air Quality Has Vastly Improved,” make important arguments regarding air quality in the Pittsburgh region. However, both writers omit critical details in making their case. Both John Graham, in a July 8 op-ed column “Pittsburgh, Still Polluted,” and Joe Duckett, in a July 17 letter “The Region’s Air Quality Has Vastly Improved,” make important arguments regarding air quality in the Pittsburgh region. However, both writers omit critical details in making their case.]]>More training will curtail bike-car collisions http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2015/08/01/More-training-will-curtail-bike-car-collisions/stories/201508010016
Sat, 01 Aug 2015 04:00:00 GMThttp://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2015/08/01/More-training-will-curtail-bike-car-collisions/stories/201508010016Last week, a cyclist who was travelling Butler Street in Lawrenceville reported that an impatient and angry car driver assaulted her (“Woman Says She Was Shoved Off Bicycle by Motorist in Lawrenceville,” July 23, post-gazette.com). How do we prevent such assaults? And how do we prevent future cases of cyclists being buzzed, hit or killed by car drivers? Last week, a cyclist who was travelling Butler Street in Lawrenceville reported that an impatient and angry car driver assaulted her (“Woman Says She Was Shoved Off Bicycle by Motorist in Lawrenceville,” July 23, post-gazette.com). How do we prevent such assaults? And how do we prevent future cases of cyclists being buzzed, hit or killed by car drivers?]]>Look out if America elects a Republican president in 2016http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2015/08/01/Look-out-if-America-elects-a-Republican-president-in-2016/stories/201508010033
Sat, 01 Aug 2015 04:00:00 GMThttp://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2015/08/01/Look-out-if-America-elects-a-Republican-president-in-2016/stories/201508010033We have a raft of Republican candidates campaigning for the office of president, carefully crafting their messages to attract and hold the narrow population that supports the Republican Party in its present form. I long for the days when we had Republican moderates standing shoulder to shoulder with Democrats to solve the problems presented to the American public. Today we have a Republican Party so extreme that no concern is given to the public interest — public health, safety or welfare. We have a raft of Republican candidates campaigning for the office of president, carefully crafting their messages to attract and hold the narrow population that supports the Republican Party in its present form. I long for the days when we had Republican moderates standing shoulder to shoulder with Democrats to solve the problems presented to the American public. Today we have a Republican Party so extreme that no concern is given to the public interest — public health, safety or welfare.]]>An editorial wrongly suggested a connection between Israeli settlements and the Iran accordhttp://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2015/08/01/An-editorial-wrongly-suggested-a-connection-between-Israeli-settlements-and-the-Iran-accord/stories/201508010031
Sat, 01 Aug 2015 04:00:00 GMThttp://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2015/08/01/An-editorial-wrongly-suggested-a-connection-between-Israeli-settlements-and-the-Iran-accord/stories/201508010031The July 25 editorial “Unsettling Step: Israel Ends a Four-Year Freeze on New Settlements” attempts to connect the dots between Israel’s disapproval of the nuclear deal with Iran by the United Nations Security Council members, which includes the United States, and Israel building new residences for settlers in the West Bank. Evidently the “palliative visit” by U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton B. Carter somehow motivated the Netanyahu government to authorize the building of additional units. The July 25 editorial “Unsettling Step: Israel Ends a Four-Year Freeze on New Settlements” attempts to connect the dots between Israel’s disapproval of the nuclear deal with Iran by the United Nations Security Council members, which includes the United States, and Israel building new residences for settlers in the West Bank. Evidently the “palliative visit” by U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton B. Carter somehow motivated the Netanyahu government to authorize the building of additional units.]]>Too many teachers? How about too many state senators?http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2015/08/01/Too-many-teachers-How-about-too-many-state-senators/stories/201508010030
Sat, 01 Aug 2015 04:00:00 GMThttp://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2015/08/01/Too-many-teachers-How-about-too-many-state-senators/stories/201508010030I would like to respond to the comments of state Sen. Scott Wagner, the York County Republican, regarding teachers in the July 22 op-ed “Teachers Aren’t Widgets.” The senator said if 10 percent of the teachers in the commonwealth were laid off, they would never be missed. Perhaps we could use the same logic with the state Senate. We probably wouldn’t miss 10 percent of the state Senate. Think of the savings. I would like to respond to the comments of state Sen. Scott Wagner, the York County Republican, regarding teachers in the July 22 op-ed “Teachers Aren’t Widgets.” The senator said if 10 percent of the teachers in the commonwealth were laid off, they would never be missed. Perhaps we could use the same logic with the state Senate. We probably wouldn’t miss 10 percent of the state Senate. Think of the savings.]]>O’Connor’s sick leave bill will hurt businesses http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2015/07/31/O-Connor-s-sick-leave-bill-will-hurt-businesses/stories/201507310150
Fri, 31 Jul 2015 04:00:00 GMThttp://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2015/07/31/O-Connor-s-sick-leave-bill-will-hurt-businesses/stories/201507310150Amended version or not, Pittsburgh City Councilman Corey O’Connor’s proposed legislation for mandatory paid sick days will cause more harm than good (“O’Connor Changes His Paid Sick Leave Measure,” July 23). Amended version or not, Pittsburgh City Councilman Corey O’Connor’s proposed legislation for mandatory paid sick days will cause more harm than good (“O’Connor Changes His Paid Sick Leave Measure,” July 23).]]>Liberals fear Scott Walker because he is the Republicans' strongest candidatehttp://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2015/07/31/Liberals-fear-Scott-Walker-because-he-is-the-Republicans-strongest-candidate/stories/201507310210
Fri, 31 Jul 2015 04:00:00 GMThttp://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2015/07/31/Liberals-fear-Scott-Walker-because-he-is-the-Republicans-strongest-candidate/stories/201507310210The column by the Washington Post’s Dana Milbank regarding Scott Walker was ridiculous, hateful and proves the progressive left fears him more than anything (“Scott Walker Is Dangerous,” July 27). They fear that if elected president, Gov. Walker will get this country’s economy booming again and that is against their plan of big government and Communist takeover of America. The column by the Washington Post’s Dana Milbank regarding Scott Walker was ridiculous, hateful and proves the progressive left fears him more than anything (“Scott Walker Is Dangerous,” July 27). They fear that if elected president, Gov. Walker will get this country’s economy booming again and that is against their plan of big government and Communist takeover of America.]]>The press must do real reporting on Pennsylvania's U.S. Senate race http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2015/07/31/The-press-must-do-real-reporting-on-Pennsylvania-s-U-S-Senate-race/stories/201507310209
Fri, 31 Jul 2015 04:00:00 GMThttp://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2015/07/31/The-press-must-do-real-reporting-on-Pennsylvania-s-U-S-Senate-race/stories/201507310209Too much political reporting covers elections as a kind of horse race — polls showing who’s ahead, guesses as to why, accounts of money raised. While this may be useful to those who are merely betting money on the outcome or trying to appear wise, it fails the voters. Too much political reporting covers elections as a kind of horse race — polls showing who’s ahead, guesses as to why, accounts of money raised. While this may be useful to those who are merely betting money on the outcome or trying to appear wise, it fails the voters.]]>There’s more to Wolf’s severance tax http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2015/07/31/There-s-more-to-Wolf-s-severance-tax/stories/201507220140
Fri, 31 Jul 2015 04:00:00 GMThttp://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2015/07/31/There-s-more-to-Wolf-s-severance-tax/stories/201507220140The authors of a recent op-ed (“Put Kids First, Not Gas Companies,” July 19) offer plenty of partisan rhetoric and personal attacks, but few facts. To help inform the budget debate, here are some major points they missed. The authors of a recent op-ed (“Put Kids First, Not Gas Companies,” July 19) offer plenty of partisan rhetoric and personal attacks, but few facts. To help inform the budget debate, here are some major points they missed.]]>Peduto was right to fight Penn Plaza evictions http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/2015/07/30/Peduto-was-right-to-fight-Penn-Plaza-evictions/stories/201507300033
Thu, 30 Jul 2015 04:00:00 GMThttp://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/2015/07/30/Peduto-was-right-to-fight-Penn-Plaza-evictions/stories/201507300033Mayor Bill Peduto recently took a stand with a developer who was displacing hundreds of residents of the Penn Plaza Apartments in East Liberty, continuing the example set by the Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh years ago with the relocation of residents of East Mall, Penn Circle and Liberty Park apartments prior to demolition (“Penn Plaza Landlord Pauses Eviction Process After Outcry,” July 19). The vast majority of residents of Penn Plaza are poor, elderly and/​or disabled, similar to those residents previously displaced. Many live in that neighborhood to meet their needs for medical services, transportation or close proximity to churches and family. They are not poor by choice; they are poor due to life circumstances that are out of their control. Mayor Bill Peduto recently took a stand with a developer who was displacing hundreds of residents of the Penn Plaza Apartments in East Liberty, continuing the example set by the Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh years ago with the relocation of residents of East Mall, Penn Circle and Liberty Park apartments prior to demolition (“Penn Plaza Landlord Pauses Eviction Process After Outcry,” July 19). The vast majority of residents of Penn Plaza are poor, elderly and/​or disabled, similar to those residents previously displaced. Many live in that neighborhood to meet their needs for medical services, transportation or close proximity to churches and family. They are not poor by choice; they are poor due to life circumstances that are out of their control.]]>A callous landlordhttp://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2015/07/30/A-callous-landlord/stories/201507300111
Thu, 30 Jul 2015 04:00:00 GMThttp://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2015/07/30/A-callous-landlord/stories/201507300111The recent news reports about the Penn Plaza Apartments in East Liberty were frightening, shocking and sad. The owners of the complex, which is home for more than 500 residents, initially issued a letter demanding that they all vacate the property within 90 days. Public and local government outcry has caused the owner to temporarily rescind that devastating edict. The recent news reports about the Penn Plaza Apartments in East Liberty were frightening, shocking and sad. The owners of the complex, which is home for more than 500 residents, initially issued a letter demanding that they all vacate the property within 90 days. Public and local government outcry has caused the owner to temporarily rescind that devastating edict.]]>Planned Parenthood did nothing illegalhttp://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2015/07/30/Planned-Parenthood-did-nothing-illegal/stories/201507300113
Thu, 30 Jul 2015 04:00:00 GMThttp://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2015/07/30/Planned-Parenthood-did-nothing-illegal/stories/201507300113Planned Parenthood provides health services to low-income women and fetal tissue for needed medical research, according to federal law. If you don’t like what they are doing, change the law instead of decreasing funding to Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood provides health services to low-income women and fetal tissue for needed medical research, according to federal law. If you don’t like what they are doing, change the law instead of decreasing funding to Planned Parenthood.]]>Trump's memory is faultyhttp://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2015/07/30/Trump-s-memory-is-faulty/stories/201507300114
Thu, 30 Jul 2015 04:00:00 GMThttp://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2015/07/30/Trump-s-memory-is-faulty/stories/201507300114Donald Trump has a memory problem. He touts over and over again how rich he is but forgets that his father left him hundreds of millions of dollars and a thriving real estate development company. He calls people coming over our southern border criminals and rapists and forgets that his company has employed many illegal immigrants. He points to all the buildings with his name on them and forgets that he does not own or run many of them. Donald Trump has a memory problem. He touts over and over again how rich he is but forgets that his father left him hundreds of millions of dollars and a thriving real estate development company. He calls people coming over our southern border criminals and rapists and forgets that his company has employed many illegal immigrants. He points to all the buildings with his name on them and forgets that he does not own or run many of them.]]>Who’s fired?http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2015/07/30/Who-s-fired/stories/201507300116
Thu, 30 Jul 2015 04:00:00 GMThttp://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2015/07/30/Who-s-fired/stories/201507300116Donald Trump says, “People are tired of these incompetent politicians in Washington that can’t get anything done.” Donald Trump says, “People are tired of these incompetent politicians in Washington that can’t get anything done.”]]>City police should learn from the past http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/2015/07/30/City-police-should-learn-from-the-past/stories/201507290037
Thu, 30 Jul 2015 04:00:00 GMThttp://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/2015/07/30/City-police-should-learn-from-the-past/stories/201507290037The following should serve as a lesson for the city’s new police chief in light of the disruption of St. Basil’s parish festival (“Benefit Concert Held for St. Basil, But Festival Up in the Air,” July 25). In the mid-1980s, classes at the University of Pittsburgh had begun. A rash of muggings and strong-arm robberies were taking place against the students in the Oakland area. The perpetrators were coming into Oakland from the Hill District. The following should serve as a lesson for the city’s new police chief in light of the disruption of St. Basil’s parish festival (“Benefit Concert Held for St. Basil, But Festival Up in the Air,” July 25). In the mid-1980s, classes at the University of Pittsburgh had begun. A rash of muggings and strong-arm robberies were taking place against the students in the Oakland area. The perpetrators were coming into Oakland from the Hill District.]]>Planned Parenthood reports were lacking http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2015/07/29/Planned-Parenthood-reports-were-lacking/stories/201507290035
Wed, 29 Jul 2015 04:00:00 GMThttp://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2015/07/29/Planned-Parenthood-reports-were-lacking/stories/201507290035A July 16 Reuters article in the Post-Gazette asserting a Planned Parenthood official had been videotaped discussing the sale of fetal tissue for profit failed to note that the video had been selectively edited, as had been documented by media sites including The New York Times (“Congress to Probe Planned Parenthood After Video Implies It Sells Fetal Organs”). And in a July 22 editorial, The Times states the video “was edited to eliminate statements that Planned Parenthood does not profit from tissue donation.” A July 16 Reuters article in the Post-Gazette asserting a Planned Parenthood official had been videotaped discussing the sale of fetal tissue for profit failed to note that the video had been selectively edited, as had been documented by media sites including The New York Times (“Congress to Probe Planned Parenthood After Video Implies It Sells Fetal Organs”). And in a July 22 editorial, The Times states the video “was edited to eliminate statements that Planned Parenthood does not profit from tissue donation.”]]>Legal vs. ethical treatment of babieshttp://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2015/07/29/Legal-vs-ethical/stories/201507290096
Wed, 29 Jul 2015 04:00:00 GMThttp://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/letters/2015/07/29/Legal-vs-ethical/stories/201507290096The video released by the Center for Medical Progress featuring Planned Parenthood’s senior medical services director Deborah Nucatola casually explaining the harvesting of fetal organs is deeply disturbing on so many levels that it’s difficult to sort them all out. The video released by the Center for Medical Progress featuring Planned Parenthood’s senior medical services director Deborah Nucatola casually explaining the harvesting of fetal organs is deeply disturbing on so many levels that it’s difficult to sort them all out.]]>